Fruit of the Orchard Traveling Exhibition
Fruit of the Orchard/Environmental Justice in East Texas
by Tammy Cromer
Publisher's Description
In 1982, a toxic waste facility opened in the Piney Woods in Winona, Texas. The residents were told that the company would plant fruit trees on the land left over from its ostensible salt-water injection well. Soon after the plant opened, however, residents started noticing huge orange clouds rising from the facility and an increase in rates of cancer and birth defects in both humans and animals. The company dismissed their concerns, and confusion about what chemicals it accepted made investigations difficult.
Outraged by what she saw, Phyllis Glazer founded Mothers Organized to Stop Environmental Sins (MOSES) and worked tirelessly to publicize the problems in Winona. The story was featured in People, the Houston Chronicle magazine, and The Dallas Observer. The plant finally closed in 1998, citing the negative publicity generated by the group.
This book originated in 1994 when Cromer was asked by Phyllis Glazer to produce a photograph for a poster about the campaign. She was so touched by the people in the town that she set out to document their stories. Using a plastic Holga camera, she created hauntingly distorted images that are both works of art and testaments to the damage inflicted on the people of a small Texas town by one company’s greed.
In the accompanying essays, Phyllis Glazer describes the history of Winona and the fight against the facility; Roy Flukinger discusses Cromer’s striking photographic technique; Eugene Hargrove explores issues of environmental justice; and Marvin Legator elaborates on how industry and government discourage victims of chemical exposure from seeking or obtaining relief.
About the Photographer Tammy Cromer
Tammy Cromer is an American photographer best known for her work as a social documentary photographer and speaker. She received her degree in commercial photography from Kilgore College, Kilgore, Texas under O. Rufus Lovett. She continued her education by taking workshops from the masters in photography, such as Arnold Newman, Ruth Bernhard, Michael Kenna, Keith Carter, John Sexton, and others. The University of North Texas Press published, Fruit of the Orchard/Environmental Justice in East Texas. She’s received Blue Earth Alliances first ever cash grant, in 1999, for Fruit of the Orchard. Her work is included in public and private collections internationally such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and others. Fruit of the Orchard won a 1st Place under entertainment and culture in the Green Dot Awards and Cromer is a 2009 and 2010 Honoree for National Women's History Project. Cromer was the Texas Photographic Society Vice President, Statewide from 2006 - 2012. She sat on the Longview Museum of Fine Arts Board of Director and brought in workshops and photo exhibits from Ruth Bernhard and Michael Kenna. Cromer won an International Photography Award in 2012 for Landscape. The Longview Chamber of Commerce named Cromer the Entrepreneur of the Year 2012. In 2022, Arts Longview recognized Cromer for creating ArtWalk in Downtown Longview 15 years ago. Cromer currently lives in Dallas, Texas with her Dalmatian/Blue Heeler Kiah, doing Freelance Photography.
Exhibition Info There are 50 Selenium toned Framed 16x20 vertical matted images 1 16x20 Text Panel, 20 text 11x8.5” panels, 50 titles, Speaker and Workshop opportunities and more. This exhibition has 172 linear feet if not stacked. Stacked in Families could be as small as 90 linear feet.
Exhibition Information
Exhibition includes:
50 Selenium-toned, gelatin-silver prints, framed to 16x20 inches, vertical matted images
1 16x20 Text Panel
20 text 11x8.5” panels
50 titles
The ideal exhibition space for this exhibition would include 172 linear feet spaced out in one row or stacked in families at 90 linear feet.
Speaker and Workshop opportunities are available as outlined below.
Fruit of the Orchard/Environmental Justice in East Texas
Traveling Exhibition Booking Information
EXHIBIT SPECIFICATIONS
Fruit of the Orchard (FOTO) photographic exhibit is hand printed selenium toned prints, crated, framed, and ready to hang. The exhibit includes text panels, wall labels, and an easy to follow and flexible layout. The exhibit consists of 50 16x20 vertically framed black and white photographs.
RENTAL FEE
The full exhibit of 50 prints = $3,000
EXHIBIT LINEAR FEET
50 prints with text panels = 120 linear feet
AUDIO | VISUAL PRESENTATION
Cromer presents a 45 minute heartfelt slide presentation for $450, plus artist travel
expenses. Round table discussions can be arranged by adding the essay contributors and/or other experts in the field.
SCHEDULING
Contact Tammy Cromer to discuss scheduling or additional information. You may download the current exhibit schedule here. When presentation dates have been selected, Cromer-Campbell will send you an exhibition loan agreement. Once both parties have signed this contract, the booking will be secured by your venue.
RENTAL FEES
Rental fees cover the scheduled exhibition period, including adequate additional time for installation and dismantling. A deposit of 25% of the total fee is due upon signing the contract, a second payment of 50% is due 90 days prior to the booking period, and the balance is due on the first day of the booking period.
INSURANCE
Exhibitors are required to insure the exhibition while it is in their possession and to and from the venue.
REGISTRATION/PREPARATION
Condition reports accompany the FOTO exhibit, and incoming and out going reports are required for all exhibitors.
PUBLICITY
Three months prior to the opening date of your exhibition, you will be provided with a complete press package for FOTO, including a sample press-release, publicity photographs, and clips of other press materials generated.
Here is a link to buy the book https://tammycromer.com/Artist.asp?ArtistID=44895&Akey=6FJX86WC&ajx=1#!asset70281
